Ruling may bring $4 million in unemployment benefits

BISMARCK – A divided North Dakota Supreme Court handed locked-out American Crystal Sugar workers a victory with a decision Tuesday that they are entitled to unemployment benefits.The 3-2 decision, following months of deliberation on arguments presented Sept. 18, could mean a payout of about $4 million to North Dakota workers who have been locked out since Aug. 1, 2011, under a dispute over a new contract.Job Service North Dakota, which manages the unemployment program, had determined that the workers were not eligible for benefits. Judge Steven Marquart upheld the decision on appeal in Traill County District Court.The Supreme Court decision reverses that action and sends the claims back for determination of benefits due each North Dakota worker, a process that likely will take weeks.Representatives of the locked-out American Crystal workers applauded the decision, welcome news for workers who have been away from their jobs for 1½years.

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